Mike Brown injury boost for England and Harlequins

By Matthew Treadwell

England head coach Eddie Jones has been given an injury boost ahead of next month's autumn internationals after Mike Brown confirmed he has recovered from an ankle problem.

The Harlequins full-back will return to action in Saturday's Champions Cup match against French side La Rochelle, live on Sky Sports.

Brown, who has won 62 caps, was a doubt for England's three Twickenham Test matches in November after aggravating an ankle injury during the 31-28 defeat to Leicester Tigers at The Stoop on September 23.

But scans have revealed the injury is not a long-term problem, with the 32-year-old revealing his desire to remain in Jones' plans, as well as becoming a father for the first time, have given him extra drive in his desire to return to action.

The Champions Cup is a great platform and, at Harlequins, it is absolutely where we want to be. We've missed it.

Mike Brown

"You do worry a bit when you get an injury, particularly when you get to my age and realise that you don't want to miss anything," Brown told The Telegraph.

"I certainly never want to give anyone an opportunity to get my shirt. That is what has always driven me.

"I don't know if I could ever be hungrier to perform as hard work and attitude have always been my way of doing things.

"But the birth of Jax [his son] has made me more determined than ever to deliver. There is an extra person now that I want to impress, that I want to make proud of me."

Brown is already looking forward to the next World Cup in Japan in 2019, where he knows there will be stiff competition for places in England's squad.

"I'm not stupid and recognise the need to get two or three players for each position if we are to win a World Cup but it just fires me up even more to think that there will be such competition," added Brown.

"I absolutely love playing for England but I don't take it for granted. I know what hard work it has taken from me to get there and know that it will be even harder to stay there.

Marland Yarde says the opportunity to play in the Champions Cup against Europe's elite is the reason he joined Harlequins

Marland Yarde says the opportunity to play in the Champions Cup against Europe's elite is the reason he joined Harlequins

"I've got to keep showing everyone, here at Harlequins and also with Eddie and England, why I deserve to be in the side. That's what I'm set on doing.

"The Champions Cup is a great platform and, at Harlequins, it is absolutely where we want to be. We've missed it."

England host Argentina at Twickenham on November 11 - live on Sky Sports - followed by Australia and Samoa over the following two weeks.